Gary-Summer: September 2, 2014 - McGurt Meadow-Dewey Point-Pohono Trail-Artist Point

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

September 2, 2014 - McGurt Meadow-Dewey Point-Pohono Trail-Artist Point

Title: September 2, 2014 - McGurt Meadow-Dewey Point-Pohono Trail-Artist Point

Trail head: McGurt Meadow Trail Head

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: McGurt Meadow, Pohono Trail, Old Wawona Trail

Destination: Bridalveil Parking Lot

Distance: 10.81 miles

Start Time: 10:06

End Time: 4:53

Travel Time: 6:47 (1.59 mph)

Moving Time: 5:13 (2.07 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,323'
Elevation Decrease: 4,115'

Maximum Elevation: 7,389'

Description:

Fresh eyes on a much visited place opens the eyes which are jaded. That is what today's travel is about for me. Sherri met Kevin on the LoseIt site. He is from the Boston area and brought his adult son Connor with him to visit a California and more particularly, Yosemite, our stomping grounds.

Kevin

Connor

We met Kevin and Connor at the Bridalveil parking lot. Kevin asks, where are we going? I only point at a high cliff directly above us-he thinks I am kidding, but that is Dewey Point. But first, we take them up to Glacier Point for an initial view of Yosemite. But to our surprise, there are two small fires burning in back of Little Yosemite Valley. Unbeknownst to us, in less than a week later, the little 4 acre Meadow Fire would blow up to a 4,000+ acre fire! Closing down the JMT and Half Dome trail. But today, all which it is doing is spewing out smoke and choking the Valley.

We then do a brief stop at Washburn Point, which normally is one of my favorite views. But between the smoke covering the landscape and the drought drying up the Merced, the view is sadly degraded. So we take a look and continue on our way to the McGurk Meadow trail-head, just a little west of Bridalveil Campground.

Now our hike begins. We move quickly along the trail, passing McGurk's cabin. The meadow, which I think on older maps is called Peregoy, there is a sense of serenity cast by is meadow. It stretches on for about a mile, but being Fall, the vibrant greens is being replaced by the drying yellows and gold.

Gunsight and Royal Arches

At the Pohono Trail junction, we turn west towards Dewey Point. We go through a series of rolling ridges before dropping down to Dewey. I am half expecting to see a falcon, which we do not-several years ago, we were blessed with a falcon sighting at Dewey Point. When I see something unusual in one place, I somewhat always expecting to be there. Kevin and Connor are amazed by the view. There is a photographer in Kevin and he gets his camera going. And there is good reason for this. This is a view which people will do an eight mile round trip for, with El Capitan facing us and Cathederal Rocks so close. When looking at a topo map, one name pops out, The Gunsight, and so it is, taking aim on Royal Arches, as if we were not smart enough to find it on our own.

El Capitan from the south

El Capitan from the west

Crocker Point

We do decide to continue on with our hike-the alternative is to go back the way we did. One thing this hike will not be and that is pointless. In 3/4 of a mile we come to our second point-Crocker Point. Here we see the Valley from a slightly different perspective. We are a bit more out into the Valley, so we have a little longer view to the east. When exiting this point, I take the trail back to Dewey, but only for a hundred yards or so. But then I realize my mistake and we go the next two-thirds of a mile to Stanford Point. More drop-dead gorgeous views.

Now to a place of historic significance and I get to pontificate on it-Old Inspiration Point. This is where the first white men saw Yosemite and where Ayers if sketched the Valley and showed its wonders. But the area has gotten a bit overgrown so the views are inferior to the three others we have seen.

Yosemite Valley

The Pohono Trail does a nose dive and starts a steep downhill. It has been over 30 years since I walked this part and I am anticipating it to be hot and dry and some what exposed, as well as a knee jarring drop. But there is a nice forested cover bringing temperatures down. So the walking is enjoyable, as much as a prolonged descent can be. Kevin and Connor have moved ahead of us so Sherri and I hike alone.

Slowly we change from the conifer forest into more of the chaparral oaks and manzanita brush. But the trail is clear and the walking good. Eventually we get to the current Inspiration Point. I will say I am not too impressed with the view. After stopping and resting-Kevin and Connor were waiting for us there- we continue on down. I find a little social trail and follow it for 40-50 yards when I come out onto the classic Yosemite Valley View. Just so good! Too bad everyone else missed it. But it is enough to take it all in.

Classic Yosemite Valley View

A little ways further we come to a junction where the Pohono Trail continues on to Tunnel View. But our route is to follow the Old Wawona Road. From what I can tell, this junction is close to the old Ft Monroe. I will need to find out more of this.

Old Wawona Road

End of Old Wawona Road

Going along the Old Wawona Road has been a desire of mine for the past several years. I keep seeing this road just above Bridalveil parking lot and have been wondering what it looks like. We will be exiting here after walking down the old road. The trail down is pretty good. Most of the road is there, but in a few places we climb over downed trees or follow a narrow path. One place close to Artist Point, we get another good view of the Valley.

When we get back to the car at Bridalveil, we realize how tired we are. But it is an enjoyable hike. Kevin and Connor take us back to our car where we say farewell. Sherri and I return back to Fresno, but not before stopping at Todd's in Oakhurst.